Nutritionist at SAU 16 wins award

Tuesday

Jul 29, 2014 at 2:00 AM

EXETER — Jeanne Pierce, food services director for SAU 16, was recently presented with one of the highest honors a school nutritionist can receive; New Hampshire School Nutrition Association Director of the Year.

Jack Gilman

EXETER — Jeanne Pierce, food services director for SAU 16, was recently presented with one of the highest honors a school nutritionist can receive; New Hampshire School Nutrition Association Director of the Year.

Pierce, who is entering her 10th year as food services director for SAU 16, was recognized at the annual School Nutrition Association Nation Conference last Sunday in Boston with all of the other state winners from around the country.

"It's nice to be recognized by your peers," said Pierce. "I am almost sure I was nominated by someone in the district. It's quite the honor."

Though the award was given to Pierce for her individual efforts in school nutrition, Pierce gives the credit to her staff.

"It's all about the team," Pierce said. "I have the greatest staff around, they make all of what we do here possible."

Pierce also believes that the success of her school nutrition program is based on the strong community support surrounding SAU 16.

"I have community support that you can't put a price on," Pierce said. "I work a lot with local businesses like Blue Moon Evolution, and other teachers such as the culinary arts instructor at SST. It's really a partnership with the community."

The community support and great staff are things that have become so important to Pierce, who drives all the way Wolfeboro on a daily basis to continue her work in SAU 16.

"It's worth it," Pierce said. "I really love working with the people I work with. I love working for SAU 16. There's no place like it."

Though Pierce has already collected her honor, she stresses that her work is to continue to teach her students about healthy eating habits.

National regulations on school snacks, among other aspects of school nutrition outlined by the Healthy Hunger Free Kid Act, will continue to be enacted this year, but Pierce says she will go beyond that to help students eat better.

"I think it is part of my duty to help kids expand their pallet," Pierce said. "It's not just about school lunches, it's about everything the kids eat."

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